Goldfishluv

My in-laws all got Christmas wreaths this year. I’d made one for my parents last year and it was a fairly easy conquest, this year, however, was a different story. I had a really hard time finding nice pine cones.  The ones I was finding were all mildewy and even after a good wash and dry they would still mold in the box. Eventually I found the mother load of nice ones and had enough for three wreaths.

The process for prepping the cones can be long and pokey but it’s worth it. I soak the cones in my kitchen sink with really hot water and a form of detergent. This year I used Fantastic and bleach and it worked well. Soaking them in detergent helps to prevent mold and gets rid of all the creepy crawlies in the cones. Next, I cover cookie sheets with tin foil and lay the wet cones on the sheets with plenty of space between them to open up. I set the oven at about 200C and let the cones warm up. Pine cones operate with humidity so don’t fret if you’re looking for cones and they’re all closed up. It’s because the humidity in the air is too great and it’s not optimal conditions for the cones to release their seeds. Warming them up in the oven helps them open up as well as letting them sit out in your warm house for a few days. I find that in the oven the bottom scales will open right away but as you get close to the point it takes a little  more coaxing. There’s a reason patience and pine cones start with the same letter.

I rotate the cones ever couple of hours, be careful not to leave them in the oven too long because they will get a little black. The sent of sweet pine resin alone is worth the work.

The one I made for my parents was just plain cones, this year I decided to jazz them up a little and took a trip to my amazing local dollar store. I glued on all the cones first, if you like puzzles you will love this project. Try your best not to get any kind of pattern going, just fit them together as best as possible. Oh and lots for hot glue. With patience and perseverance you will get amazing holiday wreaths.

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I think Christmas stockings were one of my favorite things about Christmas. My parents allowed us to only open our stockings without them on Christmas morning so, no matter how early we were up, we were allowed to dig in to our stockings. There was always a Mandarin orange in the toe of the stocking and tons of puzzles, little books and cute toys to keep us busy while my parents slept.

Now that I don’t live with my parents I still wanted to keep the tradition so I set to knitting stockings for Batman and I. Unfortunately, I’d taken on too many projects that needed to be done for Christmas so this one didn’t get done until after and I still have to make myself one. Next year, we’ll continue the tradition.

I used Valley Yarns Spotten Christmas Stocking pattern but modified it a bit by using Lion Brand Thick and Quick yarn, 7.0mm and 6.5mm double pointed needles. These materials make a nice large stocking but not overly huge. The first think Mr. Kent did when I gave it to him was kick off his slipper and try it on. He has about size 9.5 feet and it was just a tad too big for him.

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So my ever so handsome caped crusader came home today to discover that the FedEx man had delivered him a package.   When I saw the boxed I asked what was in it and he said “A keyboard”. Unknowingly, and much to my surprise and chagrin, this is what he pulled out of the box…

An IBM model M Keyboard manufactured by UNICORP. Now, I know this monster looks vintage but it’s not, it was built January 27th 2010, special ordered by batman himself. Apparently UNICORP bought the patent from IBM and all the equipment to make these beasts and will sell you one if you desire spring loaded key technology. Now, I hope my blogging is conveying the sarcasm that I feel in my heart because this. is. ridiculous. There’s a reason big companies stop making certain products…

Anyways, he wanted me to test it out and see if my key stroke efficiency increased, how comfortable the thing was to use and how I liked it because apparently I’m a better typist than him and therefore am a better judge of key keyboard qualities.

The following is the letter I wrote to my fiance on the subject and as test run of the mammoth keyboard:

Dear Clark,

I don’t really understand your logic when it comes to buying ridiculously large, archaically loud keyboards that are the colour of malnourished baby poo, a kind of pale greeny beige. I think it’s a silly waste of money but I’m sure you would say the same for some of my silly projects around the house. So I’m going to support you on this one, not only because it makes you smile your ear to ear grin that I love so much but also because you’re in the kitchen cooking my a steak while I write this note to test your silly keyboard.

I hope it brings you endless joy and, yes, it is very comfortable and accurate to type on and, despite it’s appearance, I’m sure in your eyes it’s a worthwhile purchase.

Love always,

K

Let’s just say he’s lucky to have me.  By the way, I wrote this whole thing on the clicky-keyboard-in-question.

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This image is from the blog A Bushel and a Peck. Today she blogged about Dreams and I found it very touching. It’s a must read.

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